It was the greatest compliment J. Byron Long ever received. A longtime customer told him, "You're doing it just like your uncle and your daddy did it."

What is Long doing like his uncle and father? He is the owner of Blue Dot Barbeque and he is staying true to the past while making long-lasting memories for the future.

Long's uncle, Blue Robinson and his wife, Dot, opened Blue Dot Barbeque in 1946. When Long was 21 years old, he joined his father Thomas Long Jr. to help out the business when Robinson died.

For 27 years, Long has been the owner of Blue Dot Barbeque (or Blue Dot as it's commonly called). The popular Pensacola restaurant is built on one thing; an amazing burger.

One recent Thursday morning, a typical scene unfolded at Blue Dot. An endless stream of people filled the building located in the heart of Belmont-Devilliers. Customers either dined inside or headed out with a brown bag of burger heaven. Some were proud to share their Blue Dot memories, while others just wanted to enjoy their burger in peace.

"It's a family tradition. I've been coming here all of my life. It's a generation of things," longtime customer John McMillan declared. "It takes me back to my childhood."

"It melts in your mouth, and it leaves some type of thought in your mind to hurry back and get back and get another one," Tony Tate said.

Local radio personality Freda Snowden has been dining at Blue Dot for 30 years. "They have a special, unique taste," she said.

Georgia Blackmon, owner of The Gathering Awareness and Book Center, acknowledges the history of Blue Dot along with the delectable taste. "He's the third generation," said Blackmon, whose shop is a few steps away from Blue Dot. "It was his uncle, and then his dad, and now him. He's carrying it real well."

Long's father died on Mother's Day last year, but Long continues the family legacy every day as he opens the door to greet customers.

While other restaurants experiment and add new items, Long keeps Blue Dot simple. The burger is the pièce de résistance of a menu that has been limited since the beginning. According to Long, Blue Dot maintained a full menu in the '40s but it was scaled down to just the burger. Long's father added ribs, which are still available, but only on Saturdays. Since Long's run as owner, Blue Dot has added only two other items: chips and sodas.

The burgers' ingredients and preparation are a well-kept secret, but Long was willing to explain why his take on an American classic is loved by so many people.

"This burger that I've put together takes time, patience and real care," said Long. "You don't want to just throw out something. I take pride in what I do, and we try to make sure that it's an old-fashioned burger."

Blue Dot currently holds a 4.5 stars our of 5 rating on Yelp.com and Tripadvisor.com. The restaurant even added a Facebook page a few years ago and customers can find an ATM machine inside; all steps to prepare the restaurant for the next generation, but Long is not ready for retirement yet.

"I'll just continue to open the doors and greet people like I do," said Long. He smiled, laughed and continued. "Some people are looking for retirement. I'm looking for that too, but I ask myself, 'After I retire, what am I going to do then?'"